Before World Cup Kickoff, Brazil Gets an English Assist

Brazilians Take Crash Courses in English to Communicate With Foreign Visitors

By

Luciana Magalhaes and

Marla Dickerson

Updated June 12, 2014 11:35 p.m. ET

SÃO PAULO—As Brazil rushed to finish building the infrastructure for the World Cup, a less-known scramble was happening inside classrooms, where Brazilians are taking crash courses in English to better communicate with an estimated 600,000 foreign visitors.

Mall employees are learning the difference between subway and Subway. Cab drivers are practicing directions. Restaurant workers are training their ears to the cadence of...